This season on the British Royal Family…
Prince Harry compared his experience being a UK royal to the popular British TV series “Downton Abbey” during his speech at the British-American Business Council’s 65th Annual Christmas Luncheon in Santa Monica, Calif. on Friday.
“People sometimes ask if growing up with the royal family was a bit like Julian’s ‘Downton Abbey,’” Harry, 41, said, according to People.
“Yeah, but only one of those worlds is filled with drama, intrigue, elaborate dinners [and] marriages to Americans — and the other is a TV show,” the Duke of Sussex quipped.
Created by Julian Fellowes, “Downton Abbey” is about an aristocratic family who live in a grand English country estate in early 20th-century England. The series aired on ITV from 2010 to 2015 and also spawned three films, including “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” which came out earlier this year.
Harry is currently estranged from his family, including dad King Charles III and brother Prince William, after he and wife Meghan Markle quit their royal duties in 2020 and fled the UK for California.
During the Christmas luncheon, Harry, who shares son Archie, 6, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 4, with Markle, 44, spoke about living in the US as a Brit.
“For me, being British isn’t about where you physically stand, but what you stand for,” he said to the crowd, before explaining what it’s been like celebrating Fourth of July in America.
“It’s a new world to me, celebrating independence from Britain, and more specifically, independence from my great, great, great, great, great, great-grandfather,” Harry shared.
Harry has been back to the UK numerous times since his permanent move, including in September when he and his father, 77, met for the first time in more than a year.
After the meeting, Harry told reporters that Charles — who was diagnosed with cancer last year — is “doing great.”
Harry was also in London in April for a two-day court hearing for his case against the UK government to win back taxpayer-funded security for him and his family.
After he lost his appeal in the case, Harry told the BBC that he “would love to reconcile” with his family.
“There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,” Harry said, adding that he’s since “forgiven” them.
“There’s no point continuing to fight anymore, life is precious,” he noted.
